Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Sweden have called on the European Commission to ensure that the forthcoming Electrification Action Plan and related EU policies preserve strong incentives for electrification, warning against weakening existing regulatory and market frameworks. In a note published on 25 June 2026 for the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting scheduled for 26 June 2026, the four member states argue that weakening CO₂ performance standards, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), or electricity market design would delay electrification, increase fossil fuel dependence, and harm Europe's industrial competitiveness.
The signatories welcome the Commission's Electrification Action Plan and urge that electrification and reduced imported fossil fuels become a central EU policy axis. They note that over half of EU energy consumed in 2025 was imported fossil fuels, costing almost EUR 340 billion, and cite that the weighted average diesel price in the EU rose by nearly one third in two months between the start of the Middle East conflict and the ceasefire announcement. The four states call for the post-2030 framework revision to include means for a clear reduction of imported fossil fuels through massive, quick electrification. They specifically urge preserving the CO₂ performance standards revision for cars and vans, and the 2027 revision for heavy-duty vehicles, to maintain a clear electrification trajectory. They also call for the forthcoming ETS directive revision to reinforce the EU ETS, and for limiting deviations to electricity market design and distorting subsidies to the temporary measures adopted for the Hormuz crisis. The note stresses that electrification must strengthen Europe's industrial base, citing that annual heat pump production could reach 8 million units (from ~2.5 million today) and over 30 million EV charging points needed by 2030.
The intervention comes as the Council prepares to discuss the Electrification Action Plan, with the four member states positioning themselves against any dilution of existing regulatory drivers. The note does not reference any prior coverage on this topic, as no related EU Matrix coverage exists in the last 180 days. The Commission is expected to present the Electrification Action Plan in the coming months, and the four states' call signals a potential cleavage between member states favouring strong regulatory push and those advocating for more flexibility or slower phase-outs. The impact on stakeholders is significant: EU automakers and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers face continued pressure to meet CO₂ standards, while electricity grid operators and charging infrastructure providers stand to benefit from accelerated deployment. Heat pump manufacturers see a clear growth signal, but fossil fuel importers and traditional energy suppliers face reduced demand. The four states' insistence on preserving the ETS and limiting market distortions also signals a preference for carbon pricing over subsidies, which could affect the cost structure for energy-intensive industries.